Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

What the job really is

Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-4051
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Brief workers on radiation levels in work areas.
• Calculate safe radiation exposure times for personnel using plant contamination readings and prescribed safe levels of radiation.
• Monitor personnel to determine the amounts and intensities of radiation exposure.
• Inform supervisors when individual exposures or area radiation levels approach maximum permissible limits.
• Provide initial response to abnormal events or to alarms from radiation monitoring equipment.
• Determine intensities and types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials, using radiation detectors or other instruments.
• Instruct personnel in radiation safety procedures and demonstrate use of protective clothing and equipment.
• Collect samples of air, water, gases, or solids to determine radioactivity levels of contamination.
• Analyze samples, such as air or water samples, for contaminants or other elements.
• Determine or recommend radioactive decontamination procedures, according to the size and nature of equipment and the degree of contamination.
• Set up equipment that automatically detects area radiation deviations and test detection equipment to ensure its accuracy.
• Prepare reports describing contamination tests, material or equipment decontaminated, or methods used in decontamination processes.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Azure software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft Word, Oracle Java, Structured query language SQL, AVEVA InTouch HMI, Air purifying respirators

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Nuclear Technicians
• Nuclear Engineers
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists
• Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
• Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Chemical Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Nuclear Monitoring Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.